`Nearly Elderly' Made Eligible To Apply For Public Housing

July 14, 1994

NEW BRITAIN — The housing authority board voted Wednesday to open public housing to the nearly elderly and to single people, who had been excluded in the past.

The change in policy was prompted by a change in federal regulations, said the authority's executive director, Pat Croslan. Under the new policy, single people and people between the ages of 55 and 61 will be allowed into public housing, provided they meet income guidelines. Before the change, only people 62 and older were accepted into housing for the elderly.

In a report to the board, Croslan said nine people between 55 and 61 have already applied for admission to public housing. Seven have completed the admissions review process, she said.

In other business, the board gave its approval to a 298-unit housing renovation project known as Farmington Hills. A private developer has proposed using about $9.5 million in tax-exempt bond financing for the project, Croslan said.

Members of Northeastern Concerned Citizens, a community group in the Oak Street area where the project would be located, asked the board to consider modifying the proposal. They wanted $200,000 to be set aside for demolishing four blighted buildings in the neighborhood.

Board members said they had no authority to make changes to the project.